TIMEWE ABOUT IT'S THEGAME BROUGHT LINE INTO

FIFA U-TURN ON NEW TECHNOLOGY

(But we should have done it 45 years ago) HOW ironic that a match between England and Germany has led to a FIFA U-turn on goal-line technology that could see it used in the Premiership as early as next season.

But while it was Frank Lampard's wrongly ruled out goal against Germany at the World Cup in South Africa last year that forced a rethink, the game has been screaming out for new technology since Geoff Hurst's controversial goal between the nations in 1966.

I'm sure the Scots won't want reminded of that extra-time strike at Wembley 45 years ago that helped England win the World Cup - but it's important to mention it now that goal-line technology looks imminent.

Hurst's goal was the shot that rattled the underside of the bar and ref Gottfried Dienst was unsure it had crossed the line until Tofik Bahramov - known simply as The Russian Linesman - stepped in.

The teams were tied at 2-2 up to then and England went on to win 4-2. But it took another World Cup meeting between the nations last year to change the minds of FIFA who have been digging their heels in despite calls for goal-line technology over the years.

It was the Germans who benefitted last summer when Lampard's shot crossed the line. The technology back in 1966 was nothing like it is nowadays - we were only getting to grips with the TV! - so there's no excuse now.

Buried Nine systems are under review by an independent testing authority employed by FIFA with a final decision expected in time for the start of the new season. The news is a huge boost for the game.

It's ridiculous it has taken this length of time to move the debate on.

One of the biggest reasons for change has been the two codes of rugby which have been at the forefront of dragging sport into the 21st century. So, unlike our oval ball playing friends, why has football taken so long to embrace new technology? One theory is that it's a trump card FIFA President Sepp Blatter has kept up his sleeve for some time. The thing is, it's always going to be a vote winner to keep him in a job.

If Blatter left today, what would he be remembered for? In my eyes, not too much apart from making gas!

This though could be his legacy. It's the biggest step forward football can take and he would no doubt take the credit for it.

All the gas he's produced during his tenure would basically be forgotten because of the implementation of goalcontinual line technology. And once it comes, other new initiatives will undoubtedly follow.

We have to go one step at a time - it has taken almost half a century to get this far. Let's hope it doesn't take the same length of time for technology to be introduced that tells us if fouls were committed inside or outside the box.

Protests The day will come when every player has a chip in their boot and the fourth official will know exactly where everyone is on the pitch for an offside.

I know technology is expensive but if FIFA do introduce it then it would have to be in the top leagues and cups for it to be successful.

I know there's the argument of goal-line technology being stop-start but it should do exactly what it says on the tin - is the ball over or not? And the technology will give an instant reading for the fourth official who could be sitting with a buzzer telling you whether the ball - which could be chipped - is in.

Listen, goal-line technology would even have helped prove there was absolutely no doubt over a goal I scored for Rangers against Kilmarnock in the 1994 Scottish Cup semi-final.

Despite protests from the Ayrshire men at the time, the ball was about nine inches over the line at Hampden that night.

I headed it down and it went in off the bar and hit a defender who was behind the line. Goal-line technology would instantly have helped clear that one up.

Meanwhile, my old club signed Sone Aluko yesterday and I think he can be a good addition. He's had a taste of it up at Aberdeen where he's produced sporadically as wingers typically do.

But he's gone away from Aberdeen and not had any football since last season.

Possibly he's realising what he can have. That might be the incentive.

Aluko is a matchwinner who has a turn of pace and can go past defenders.

He can play down the left, through the middle and he has blistering pace.